118. * association and conversation with them after death, that I am convinced of it. Nevertheless, there must be nothing less likely, since they hold God the Messiah in hatred; in fact, they would tear each other apart like wolves and tigers, for this is what they regard each other to be, etc. etc. [See WE 4388-93, concluding the explanation of verse 17.] [See WE 4394-99, explaining Exod. 20:18.] 4400. When God the Messiah speaks, He is acting from the very essence of things, because from what is higher and prior, as it is called. His words themselves then follow from the very essence of things. From that comes the understanding of the words; for it is the understanding that is then aroused, and the words that give expression. So the mind is kept in a state of understanding, not by the words that follow, but by the things which the words express. It is different when a human being speaks; then it goes the other way around, and the meaning, or thing, must be gathered from the words. That this